Folksong Setting: "The sweetest lad was Jamie" (Scottish) (1815), Op.108 №5, words by William Smyth
The sweetest lad was Jamie, The sweetest, the dearest, And well did Jamie love me, And not a fault has he. Yet one he had, it spoke his praise, He knew not woman's wish to teaze, He knew not all our silly ways, Alas! The woe to me!
For though I loved my Jamie, Sincerely and dearly, Yet often when he wooed me, I held my head on high; And huffed and toss'd with saucy air, And danc'd with Donald at the fair, And plac'd his ribbon in my hair And Jamie! Pass'd him by.
So when the war-pipes sounded, Dear Jamie, he left me, And now some other maiden Will Jamie turn to woo. My heart will break, and well it may, For who would word of pity say To her who threw a heart away, So faithful and so true!
Oh! Knew he how I loved him, Sincerely and dearly; And I would fly to meet him! Oh! Happy were the day! Some kind, kind friend, oh, come between, And tell him of my alter'd mien! That Jeanie has not Jeanie been Since Jemie went away.